Genetic genealogy has become a valuable tool for family historians, and I’ve successfully used it in my own research. It can help confirm known relationships, find new relatives, and break down brick walls.

There are lots of free online resources, blogs, and some fee-based short courses to support you if you’d like to learn more about using DNA in your research. Below is a list of some I’ve found helpful.

Ancestry

Ancestry is one of the most popular consumer DNA testing companies. Their website provides lots of helpful explanations of how DNA testing works and answers to frequently asked questions. Some of the information I’ve found particularly useful or interesting includes:

• Understanding Inheritance https://support.ancestry.com.au/s/article/Understanding-Inheritance (there’s a great diagram which visually explains DNA inheritance)
• AncestryDNA White Papers https://support.ancestry.com.au/s/article/AncestryDNA-White-Papers
• AncestryDNA Ethnicity and Communities FAQs https://support.ancestry.com.au/s/article/AncestryDNA-Ethnicity-and-Communities-FAQ

DNAeXplained

A long-standing blog by Roberta Estes about genetic genealogy, DNAeXplained shares advice, research stories, news, and questions and answers. A great go-to for resources and strategies you can apply yourself.

The DNA Geek

The DNA Geek brings a scientific lens to genetic genealogy with a blog sharing news, stories and other information. There’s lots to discover and different perspectives and insights on research and the use of DNA.

DNA Sydney

DNA Sydney is the DNA Research Group of the Society of Australian Genealogists. There are regular events and discussion groups, as well as a series of short courses which will explain and guide you through how to apply genetic genealogy strategies.

DNA Painter

DNA Painter provides tools to help track, visualise and analyse DNA and your genealogy research. Amongst the tools you’ll find are ones for chromosome mapping; creating visual trees showing inheritance patterns, completeness and other elements; and the excellent What Are The Odds? (WATO) tool.

Gedmatch

Gedmatch offers both free and fee-based tools to help identify and connect with genetic relatives. If you’re serious about genetic genealogy, you should explore what Gedmatch might be able to do for your research.

Genie1

Australian genetic genealogist Louise Coakley’s website Genie1 and blog are really informative about consumer DNA tests and how they can be used. A great place to for stories, tips, and information about genetic genealogy concepts and strategies.

ISOGG

The mission of The International Society of Genetic Genealogy is to ‘advocate for and educate about the use of genetics as a tool for genealogical research while promoting a supportive network for genetic genealogists’. It includes a wiki full of information about DNA-related definitions, concepts and standards, along with links to interest groups, blogs, guides, projects, and more.

The Leeds Method

If you want to work out how a DNA match is related to you then you’ll need a strategy to do that. One way is known as the Leeds Method. Visit Dana Leeds’ website for an explanation of how it uses colours to group shared matches and identify most recent common ancestors.

Mossie’s Musings

Mossie’s Musings is a repository of information and guides for using DNA to work out how DNA matches are related. It includes case studies, resources, and information modules for the Society of Genealogists’ program Analysing your AncestryDNA results which can be used for personal research purposes.

Your DNA Guide

Your DNA Guide offers a book, blog and webinars, some of which are fee-based and some free. There’s advice about a range of topics including double DNA matches, YDNA and mtDNA matches, endogamy, and more.